Expressing concern over increase in crime against women, President Pranab Mukherjee today said universities and academic institutions can play an important role in checking the moral decline. Mr Mukharjee was speaking at the Third Convocation of Nagaland University at Lumani . He said that the recent increase in cases of brutal assault on women and children has shaken the collective conscience of our nation. He also said that these unfortunate incidents underscore the urgency for us to introspect the erosion of values and to devise effective measures for the safety and security of women and children. Mr Mukharjee emphasised on the need to identify the causes of moral decline in our society and our universities and academic institutions must take the lead to meet the moral challenge of our times and ensure that our civilisational values are fully entrenched in the young minds. The President added, noting that education is a powerful tool for social thinking and transformation. The higher education system in India rests on the three pillars of quality, affordability and accessibility, he said.